Super-sub handed a free transfer by Reading is Dragons hero with Gareth Bale also on target

MARTIN BLACKBURN in BORDEAUX

11 Jun 2016, 18:52

Updated: 12 Jun 2016, 4:02

Hal Robson-Kanu may not have a club — but he had the hearts of the Welsh nation last night.

Together with Gareth Bale, the man who has EVERYTHING, they were the toast of the wine capital of the world last night.

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Gareth Bale is mobbed by the Wales team and bench after his free-kick opened the scores in the Group B clash with Slovakia in BordeauxCredit: Getty Images

Free agent Robson-Kanu, who left Reading at the end of last season, was already a cult figure among Wales fans.

And his late winner, which came off his shin, sparked a huge knees-up among the 24,000 Welsh fans who turned the stadium and the whole city of Bordeaux into a sea of red.

You can bet there will be some sore heads in this part of southern France this morning.

Yet that will not bother them one bit as this thrilling win means boss Chris Coleman’s men now have one foot in the last 16.

What a way to mark their return to major tournament football after a 58-year absence.

And it was fitting that their talisman Bale made a major contribution.

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The £86million man has two Champions League winners medals with Real Madrid — but nothing will mean more to him than his trademark free-kick to open the scoring on ten minutes.

The Dragons were dealt a big blow in the build-up to the game as keeper Wayne Hennessey suffered a back spasm.

In his place came Liverpool reserve Danny Ward for just his third cap — and what a moment for him to make his first start for his country.

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Marek Hamsik can't believe his shot had been cleared off the line by Ben DaviesCredit: Getty Images

But he almost conceded straight away as Bale gave the ball away to Slovakia talisman Marek Hamsik.

The Napoli ace drifted past a couple of meek tackles and beat Ward — only for Ben Davies to heroically clear off the line.

It was a huge let off and felt even more important when Wales took the lead.

And what a moment it was. Patrik Hrosovsky fouled Jonny Williams about 25 yards from goal — Bale territory. He took a short run, got dip and pace on his shot and it fizzed past the right hand of Matus Kozacik.

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Gareth Bale strikes from 25 yards to give Wales the lead against SlovakiaCredit: Getty Images

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Bale runs away in celebration after his free-kick gave Wales the leadCredit: EPA

For all Bale has achieved in Spain, it is with Wales he feels most comfortable — and this meant everything to him.

Surely he will eventually go down as their greatest player.

And then Wales were denied a penalty when Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel swung an elbow at Williams as he shepherded the ball out. The assistant referee behind the goal was stood just a couple of yards away but did nothing when it should have been a spot-kick and a red card for the Slovakian skipper.

Surprisingly, the incident was shown on the big screen in the stadium — prompting loud protests from the Welsh fans.

There was a warning for the Dragons soon after the restart as Robert Mak latched on to a clever pass from ex-Manchester City man Vladimir Weiss but blazed his shot over.

Bale had the chance to put Wales out of sight yet his header from a Joe Allen cross lacked power and Kozacik was able to save.

Slovakia coach Jan Kozak sent on two subs on the hour.

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He played in Aaron Ramsey, whose flick fell nicely into the path of Robson-Kanu.

It was a scruffy build-up and far from a clean connection from Robson-Kanu but it had enough on it to deceive Kozacik and roll into the net.

You can be sure it will not win goal of the tournament — yet not many will be celebrated as enthusiastically. There was still late drama as Adam Nemec, another sub, thumped a header against a post while Mak volleyed over from close range.

But Wales hung in there and the final whistle meant the party could get into full swing.